Swimming apparatus.



A. WIRSIG. SWIMMING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-9| 19M.

1,142,652. I Patented June 8, 1915.

.ZZZfrecZEZ mZg THE NORRIS PETERS COHPHOTG-LITHOQ WASHINGTON, Dv I ALFRED WIRSIG, 0F HOIBOKEN, NEW JERSEY.

SWIMMING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1915.

Application filed September 9, 1914. Serial No. 860,919. I

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, ALFRED WIRSIG, a c1t1- zen of Germany, residing at Hoboken, in

the county of Hudson and State. of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Swimming Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The general object of the invention is to increase the efi'iciency of the art of swimming. And to this end the invention consists' in providing a means for securing one end of the web to the feet of the wearer and the other end of the web to one of the legs of the wearer; the web being arranged so as to spread and afford a greater area of contact with the water when the legs are moved in thrust and to fold when the limbs are flexed as is usualinthe act of swimming.

Other, objects will appear and be better understood from that embodiment of my invention of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which Figure 1, is a view showing my invention adapted to use, and Fig. 2 is anenlarged detail perspective view of my swimming apparatus.

Referring to the drawings in detail 1 designates a web, having shoes 2 attached to the ends thereof and a securing device 3 connected with the intermediate part thereof. The web comprises a pair of companion members 4 each of which is preferably formed of a light strip of flexible leather or other suitable material, and which are of such length and width that when positioned between the legs of a wearer they will not interfere with the free movements of the legs during the swimming strokes. The members are hingedly connected at one end, as at'5, to the inner portions of the shoes 2. Any suitable means such as by stitching or cementing may be employed for effeotingjthe connection 'of members with the shoes, or any suitable means (not shown) may be employed for effecting the connection .and disconnection of the shoes from the members when desired.

The shoes may be made of a light durable leather, canvas or other suitable material and of such a weight that they will not prove a hindrance to the wearer when in use.

The intermediate portion of the web 1 is provided with a flexible reinforcing strip 8, which is designed to function as a hinge piece for the members when the device is m use.

Suitably secured and projecting from the hinge portion of the web is a series of strips or bands 9 which are preferably formed of rubber or other suitable elastic material. These bands are connected to a strap 10 which has a buckle 11 attached at one end thereof so that the strap may be detachably. connected to one of the legs of a person using the apparatus.

To use the apparatus the web is arranged 7 between the legs, the shoes are secured to the feet and the strap is then buckled around one of the legs at a point just above the knee. When swimming and as the wearers legs are moved in thrust the web is unfolded and together with the legs acts forcibly upon the water thereby considerably increasing the progressive movement -of the swimmer through the water. Now the unfolding of the web caused: by the thrust action of the legs also force the elastic bands to expand and as the limbs are brought together upon the return stroke the bands contact, thereby eifecting the folding of the web so as to sub stantially reducethe resistance of the same upon the water. i I i It is obvious'that those skilled inJthe art may vary the details of construction and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention and therefore I do not wish to be limited to such features ex cept as may be required by the claims.

What is claimed as new is 1. A swimming device comprising a web, shoes attached to the ends thereof, and means 'mounted upon the web between the shoes for connecting the intermediate portion of the web to the leg of a wearer.

2. A swimming device comprising a web, shoes attachedto the ends thereof, and elastic means mounted upon the webvbetween the shoes for connecting the intermediate portion of the web to the leg of a wearer.

In testimony whereof I, afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANNA VDARBESS,

SAMUEL Enema.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

